Shloka 1013
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
प्राद्रवन्त यथाशक्ति कांदिशीका विचेतस: । द्वारपाल दरवाजोंको और तम्बूकी रक्षा करनेवाले सैनिक तम्बुओंको छोड़कर यथाशक्ति भागने लगे। वे सब-के-सब अपनी सुध-बुध खो बैठे थे और यह भी नहीं जानते थे कि “उन्हें किस दिशामें भागकर जाना है”
prādravanta yathāśakti kāndiśīkā vicetasaḥ |
Sañjaya said: The bewildered men fled with whatever strength they had. The gate-guards and the soldiers assigned to protect the entrances and the tents abandoned their posts and ran. All of them had lost their presence of mind, not even knowing in which direction they ought to escape—an image of panic where duty collapses under terror.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear and shock can strip people of discernment (cetas) and make them abandon assigned duty; it serves as a moral-psychological warning that courage and clarity are essential for sustaining dharma in crisis.
During the chaos in the camp, the guards and protectors of the gates and tents lose their composure and flee in confusion, unable even to decide which direction to run.